Hazare to go ahead with fast despite police denying permission

Published: Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 13:45 [IST]

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New Delhi, Jun 7: Setting the stage for a fresh showdown with the government, Anna Hazare and his supporters will go ahead with their protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, June 8 despite Delhi Police refusing permission for their day-long fast.

A senior police official today said they have refused permission for the fast at the dharna hotspot while citing prohibitory orders at the site after the police action against Baba Ramdev in Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

Sources said Delhi Police has already informed Hazare's team about the refusal of permission.

Police had on Sunday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in Jantar Mantar and other areas in New Delhi district following the midnight police action in Ramlila Maidan where Ramdev and his supporters were on an indefinite protest on black money and corruption issues.

However, activist Arvind Kejriwal said they will go ahead with the "very peaceful" protest and court arrest if police obstructed them. "No one can stop Anna Hazare from protesting at Jantar Mantar tomorrow," he said.

Shanti Bhushan, who wrote to Delhi Police on behalf of Hazare-led team seeking permission for the protest, said they were putting police on notice that they intend to go ahead with the fast and any attempt to prevent the people from reaching Jantar Mantar would be viewed as a serious violation of fundamental democratic rights of the people.

"This is not acceptable. We appeal to the people to be calm tomorrow when they come to Jantar Mantar. We will stop wherever police tries to stop us. After that few people can get arrested, others can go home," he said.

He said Hazare's call was for a fast and this should not lead to a law and order situation.